Every year, I try to create some kind of portrait of my children on their birthdays. I never really have a plan for it – I just go with the flow of the day and see what happens. This year, we were spending the weekend in Qualicum with family (read more about those adventures here!), so I packed a “cute” little outfit for Clio to wear…with the hopes of getting that portrait.

Well, I don’t know if you have much experience with dressing a two year old…but Miss Clio would have nothing to do with the jeans and cutesy top I picked out for her. She wanted to wear her “boo fuzz” aka blue fleece. So these days – since you pick and choose your battles – Clio dressed herself and in hindsight, this portrait of her wouldn’t be as authentic otherwise.

So here is my daughter. She is a strong-willed, gentle beauty. She is thoughtful, sassy and has a fantastic sense of humour. Sometimes when I think about her, I am overwhelmed with emotion. I can imagine being an old woman looking back, thinking that raising children was perhaps the greatest honour of my life.

Happy 2nd Birthday baby girl. I love you.